JP5877551B1 - Coupon voucher and vending machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a coupon issuing device capable of easily making an electrical connection when a function for issuing a receipt, a coupon or the like is additionally added to a vending machine. A vending machine 100 has a coupon issuing device 41 that issues a coupon that gives a user a predetermined privilege and various information. The vending machine 100 includes a counter 20 that records the number of sold products as sales information, and a first backup counter 30 that preliminarily records the same information as the sales information recorded in the counter 20. The coupon voucher issuing apparatus 41 includes a printing unit 404 that outputs a coupon and a controller 401 that instructs the printing unit 404 to start outputting the coupon. The controller 401 instructs to start outputting the coupon ticket every time the sales information recorded in the backup counter 30 is updated. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology of a device that is deployed in a vending machine and issues a coupon that gives a user a predetermined privilege or various information.

  For example, there are vending machines that can automatically sell products such as beverages and foods. Some of these vending machines have a function to issue a receipt (receipt) that describes the price of the product or the date and time of purchase to the purchaser of the product, and various information according to the purchased product. Some have a function of displaying on a screen such as a display and a voice guidance function.

  For example, the vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an automatic vending machine that can automatically sell products such as beverages and foods. A receipt (receipt) with the mark can be issued.

  In addition, the vending machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with means capable of providing high-value-added content to the consumer, so that each vending machine has its own unique characteristics and the consumer's interest. Can attract.

JP 2008-134978 A Utility Model Registration No. 3167494

  However, the vending machines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 incorporate a dedicated device that issues receipts, coupons, etc. according to the specifications of the individual vending machines, thereby realizing the issuing function of receipts, etc. ing. Therefore, if an already installed vending machine is to have a value-added function such as a receipt issuing function, the vending machine itself must be replaced (replaced), and the administrator who manages the vending machine, Or the problem that a great expense burden will arise for an installer remains.

  In addition, many vending machines currently installed are highly electronic and have a kind of computer installed in order to realize various functions and to improve processing efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. In many cases, each functional configuration is controlled by using. Therefore, when trying to add a device that issues a receipt, coupon or the like to a vending machine that has already been installed, it is easy to make an electrical connection to operate the vending machine and the device in a coordinated manner. The problem that it cannot be done remains.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a coupon issuing device capable of easily making an electrical connection when adding a function for issuing a receipt, a coupon or the like to a vending machine. . Moreover, the vending machine which has this coupon issuing device is provided.

  The vending machine of the present invention is a vending machine having a coupon issuing device that issues coupons that give predetermined privileges and various information to users, and the vending machine at least determines the number of products sold. A first recording means for recording information representing the sales information; and a second recording means for preliminarily recording the same information as the sales information recorded in the first recording means; The apparatus includes output means for outputting the coupon ticket, and control means for instructing output start of the coupon ticket by the output means, and the control means is recorded in the second recording means. The start of output of the coupon is instructed every time the information is updated.

  The coupon ticket issuing apparatus according to the present invention reserves at least a first recording unit that records at least information indicating the number of products sold as sales information and the same information as the sales information recorded in the first recording unit. A coupon issuing device for issuing a coupon that is provided to a vending machine having a second recording unit for recording and gives a predetermined privilege and various information to a user, the coupon issuing device Comprises output means for outputting the coupon ticket, and control means for instructing the output means to start outputting the coupon ticket, wherein the control means stores the sales information recorded in the second recording means. The start of output of the coupon is instructed every time of update.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when adding the function which issues a receipt, a coupon, etc. additionally to a vending machine, the coupon issuing apparatus which can perform an electrical connection easily can be provided.

The figure which shows an example of the front external appearance of the vending machine which has the coupon issuing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the function structure of the vending machine which has a coupon issuing apparatus. FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an example of a coupon ticket issuing device having a configuration different from that of the coupon ticket issuing device 41 illustrated in FIG. 1. The figure which shows an example of the coupon issued by the coupon issuing device 41. FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the main process sequence after a user selects goods in a vending machine until a coupon ticket issuing apparatus outputs a coupon.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, for example, a predetermined privilege is given to the user according to the purchase of the product, which is arranged in a vending machine configured to be able to sell a plurality of types of products such as canned beverages, or A description will be given by taking as an example a coupon issuing device that issues coupons giving various information.

[Example Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the front appearance of a vending machine having a coupon issuing device according to the present embodiment.
In the front face of the vending machine 100 shown in FIG. 1, components necessary for the user to purchase a desired product are arranged. For example, on the front of the vending machine 100, a selection unit 1 that selects a purchased product by pressing a button, a product take-out port 101, a coin insertion port 102, a bill insertion port 103, an amount display unit 104, a coin return port 106, A bill return slot 107 and the like are disposed. In the vending machine 100, a product sample P is presented on the front surface of the vending machine 100 at a position visible to the user. The user confirms the sample P and selects a purchased product.

  In addition, a coupon voucher issuing device 41 that outputs a coupon issued in accordance with purchase of a product is disposed in front of the vending machine 100. In addition, the main control unit 50 described later mainly controls components related to selection, discharge, and the like of commodities that are essential functions of the vending machine 100.

  Inside the housing of the vending machine 100, there is provided a product storage (not shown) for storing a plurality of types of products in a cold or warm state. The user presses the selection unit 1 to select a purchased product. Thereafter, the product selected by the user from among the products stored in the product storage is delivered to the product outlet 101.

  Specifically, in order for the user to purchase a product from the vending machine 100, first, a charge for purchasing the product is inserted from the coin insertion slot 102 or the bill insertion slot 103 using coins or bills. . When a fee is charged into the vending machine 100, the charged fee is calculated and the total amount is displayed on the amount display unit 104. The user can select a product via the selection unit 1 within the range of the amount displayed on the amount display unit 104.

  The product selected by the user via the selection unit 1 is paid out to the product outlet 101. In this way, the user purchases the product of the vending machine 100. Further, after the purchase of the product, the surplus change is discharged from the coin return slot 106 or the banknote return slot 107.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the vending machine 100 having the coupon ticket issuing device 41. In addition, in FIG. 2, an example of the main structures required for the issue of a coupon is shown.
The vending machine 100 includes a selection unit 1, a product carry-out unit 11, a counter 20, a backup counter 30, an I / F (interface) 40, a main control unit 50, and a coupon ticket issuing device 41. The coupon ticket issuing apparatus 41 includes a controller 401, a content DB (database) 402, a display unit 403, and a printing unit 404.

The selection unit 1 is a button for selecting a product desired by the user from among a plurality of products sold in the vending machine 100. Information for specifying the product selected via the selection unit 1 is transmitted to the main control unit 50.
The product carry-out unit 11 conveys the product selected by the user via the selection unit 1 from the product storage to the product take-out port 101.

  The counter 20 is a kind of memory (first recording means or first recording unit) for recording sales information of products in the vending machine 100. Sales information is, for example, information related to the number of products sold (cumulative sales number) from a certain point in time to the present point of time, the number of items sold for each type of product, the date and time of sale of the product, the type of product sold, and the like. For example, the counter 20 records a value obtained by incrementing the value of the number sold (record value) by 1 every time a product is sold via the main control unit 50. In the present embodiment, at least information representing the number of products sold by the vending machine 100 is recorded as sales information.

The backup counter 30 is a kind of memory (second recording means or second recording unit) in which the same information as the sales information recorded in the counter 20 is recorded. That is, the backup counter 30 functions as a so-called backup memory in which the same sales information as the sales information recorded in the counter 20 is preliminarily recorded. A so-called mechanical counter can also be used as the backup counter 30.
For example, the sales information is recorded in the backup counter 30 at the same timing as the sales information is recorded in the counter 20, or after the sales information is recorded in the counter 20, The information can be acquired and the information can be recorded in the backup counter 30. That is, every time the sales information of the counter 20 is updated, the sales information of the backup counter 30 is also updated. In the present embodiment, a coupon is issued every time the sales information of the backup counter 30 is updated.

For example, the sales information of the counter 20 may be affected by a malfunction of the vending machine 100 or an external factor, and the stored information up to that point may become unusable unintentionally. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for separately storing sales information such as the backup counter 30.
In the present embodiment, the backup counter 30 is responsible for the above-described functions, and the backup counter 30 is arranged in such a manner that influences such as problems occurring in the vending machine 100 are eliminated as much as possible. . For example, the counter 20 is disposed on a main boat (a logic boat for control processing) of the vending machine 100 in order to eliminate third-party tampering with recorded sales information. That is, a configuration is employed in which connection between the counter 20 and the external device cannot be easily performed. On the other hand, the backup counter 30 considers the convenience of connection between devices so that sales information can be easily obtained via an external device. Specifically, the backup counter 30 can be configured as an external storage device that can be retrofitted, for example.

  Further, as described above, the backup counter 30 is configured such that recorded sales information can be acquired via an external device (for example, a personal computer) due to its nature. That is, it is easier to obtain sales information from the backup counter 30 than to obtain sales information recorded in the counter 20. As described above, since there is a large difference in the difficulty of acquiring sales information, a comparison between the sales information recorded in the counter 20 and the sales information recorded in the backup counter 30 is more reliable. It is possible to verify the presence or absence of falsification of sales information. In the present embodiment, the sales information of the backup counter 30 can be acquired via the I / F 40.

The I / F 40 mediates reading of sales information from the backup counter 30. The I / F 40 is appropriately selected to have specifications according to the external device to be connected. In the present embodiment, the specification is suitable for connection with the coupon issuing device 41.
The main control unit 50 mainly controls each functional configuration related to product sales, which is an essential function of the vending machine 100. The main control unit 50 controls the exchange of various information with the controller 401 of the coupon ticket issuing apparatus 41.

The controller 401 mainly controls the functional configuration of the coupon ticket issuing apparatus 41.
The controller 401 detects that the recorded content of the backup counter 30 has been updated. In response to this detection, the controller 401 acquires various information (coupon information) used for issuing coupons from the content DB 402 and instructs the printing unit 404 to start outputting. For example, the controller 401 may acquire a signal indicating that the recording value related to the sales information of the backup counter 30 has been updated.
The controller 401 may acquire one content from the content DB 402 or may extract a plurality of content from the content storage unit 2. Thus, the controller 401 functions as a control unit that controls each device included in the coupon ticket issuing apparatus 41.

When the controller 401 acquires content from the content DB 402, a product table (not shown) configured to be able to specify the type of product selected by the user (type of coffee, tea, etc.), the location where the vending machine 100 is installed It is also possible to refer to various tables such as a position information table (not shown) configured to be identifiable, and a time table (not illustrated) configured to be able to identify the sales time.
When a contactless IC card reader / writer (electronic money unit or the like) is provided in the coupon ticket issuing device 41, the content DB 402 is based on information (gender, age, purchase record data, etc.) recorded on the contactless IC card. It can also be configured such that content is acquired from In this case, a table for associating information recorded in the non-contact type IC card with content recorded in the content DB 402 is referred to.

  For example, when the controller 401 refers to the product table, the controller 401 acquires content associated with the type of product selected by the selection unit 1. Thereby, the content matched with the taste of the user who selected the specific product can be acquired.

  Further, when the controller 401 refers to the position information table, the controller 401 acquires content associated with information regarding the location where the vending machine 100 is installed. In this case, coupon information can be associated with regional information corresponding to the region where the vending machine 100 is installed, advertisement information of restaurants around the installation location, and the like.

  When the controller 401 refers to the time table, the controller 401 acquires content associated with the time information when the vending machine 100 sells the product. In this case, for example, if the time when the product is sold is from 11:00 to 14:00, advertisement information and coupon information related to lunch can be associated. Note that the information indicating the sales time or the like can be configured to be acquired from, for example, an RTC (real time clock module) included in the vending machine 100.

The content DB 402 stores various information (coupon information) used for issuing coupons as content. There are various types of content stored in the content DB 402. For example, there are company advertisements associated with coupon information, information on regions, and the like. In addition, there are information such as a login ID and a password for a membership site in the area where the vending machine 100 is installed.
Note that the content stored in the content DB 402 can be updated as appropriate. For example, the content DB 402 may be updated by connecting to the Internet via a wireless communication module (not shown) and adding / deleting content data from the cloud. Further, the content stored in the content DB 402 is not limited to the content for printing. For example, audio content output via a speaker or the like may be included.

  The display unit 403 displays a message to the effect that a coupon is issued to the user on the display screen. The message displayed on the display screen displays characters such as “I will issue a coupon”. Note that the message displayed on the display screen is stored in the content DB 402 in advance.

  The printing unit 404 receives the content (coupon information) acquired from the content DB 402 by the controller 401 when receiving an instruction to start printing from the controller 401 on a sheet (for example, roll paper) that is an example of a recording medium. Print. When the controller 401 acquires one content, the printing unit 404 prints the one content on a sheet. In addition, when the controller 401 acquires a plurality of contents, the printing unit 404 prints the plurality of contents on a sheet.

  The printing unit 404 can use, for example, an already known device. As the printing unit 404, various types of printers such as a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, and an ink jet method can be appropriately selected and employed. Thus, the printing unit 404 functions as an output unit. In addition, when issuing a coupon ticket, a selection button (not shown) for selecting whether to issue the coupon is provided at a part that can be operated by the user, and the coupon ticket is output when the issue is permitted via this selection button. It can also be configured.

In addition, the coupon voucher issuing apparatus 41 may be provided with a card discharge unit for discharging the card stored in the card storage unit inside the casing together with the printing unit 404 or instead of the printing unit 404. . For example, trading cards and point cards are stacked and stored in the card storage unit. In this case, the controller 401 ejects (outputs) the card stored in the card storage unit when the recorded content of the backup counter 30 is updated.
In addition, it can also comprise so that it may have a memory | storage device which records the log | history data of coupon ticket issue.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing an example of a coupon ticket issuing apparatus having a configuration different from that of the coupon ticket issuing apparatus 41 shown in FIG.
3 includes a display 300 and a speaker 400 in addition to a controller 401, a content DB 402, a display unit 403, and a printing unit 404. Note that the display 300 and the speaker 400 are mainly controlled by the controller 401.

The display 300 shown in FIG. 3 has a display screen on which video content such as moving images and still images are displayed. The video content in this case is display content associated with the coupon information acquired by the controller 401 from the content DB 402, for example.
Further, the speaker 400 shown in FIG. 3 outputs acoustic contents such as voice and music. The acoustic content in this case is content associated with coupon information acquired by the controller 401 from the content DB 402, for example. By comprising in this way, a video, a music, etc. can be output, for example before a coupon is issued, and a user can be made aware that a coupon is issued. As a result, forgetting to take a coupon ticket can be suppressed, and the take-out rate can be improved.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coupon issued by the coupon issue device 41.
As shown in FIG. 4, for example, on a sheet of paper, coupon information such as “XX store”, “10% OFF for all products”, “valid until XX month □□ day”, the installation location of the vending machine 100, XX A map of the neighborhood including the store location is presented.
By configuring the coupon voucher to be output in this way, the user travels from the “current location” of the user who purchased the product (the installation location of the vending machine 100) to the “XX store” that is the coupon provider. It can be easily grasped. Therefore, the use opportunity of a coupon can be improved.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a main processing procedure from when the user selects a product in the vending machine 100 to when the voucher issuing device 41 outputs the coupon. The vending machine 100 and the coupon voucher issuing apparatus 41 will be described assuming that the vending machine 100 has already been activated, that is, the user can purchase the product.

  The main control unit 50 receives a press of the selection unit 1 corresponding to a product that can be purchased within the range of the input amount when a charge for purchasing the product is input from the user (S100). The main control unit 50 pays out the product corresponding to the pressed selection unit 1 via the product carry-out unit 11, and adds 1 to the recorded value of the sales number related to the sales information of the counter 20 (S101). . In this way, the recorded value of the counter 20 is updated.

  The main control unit 50 records the updated recorded value of the counter 20 in the backup counter 30 (S102). In this way, the latest recorded value of the counter 20 is backed up in the backup counter 30, and the recorded content of the backup counter 30 is updated. The controller 401 monitors whether or not the recorded contents of the backup counter 30 have been updated via the I / F 40.

  The controller 401 determines whether or not the content of the recorded value of the backup counter 30 has been updated via the I / F 40 (S103). The determination as to whether or not it has been updated is performed by obtaining a signal indicating that the recorded value relating to the sales information has been updated, for example, in the backup counter 30.

  When it is determined that the recorded value of the backup counter 30 has been updated (S103: Yes), the controller 401 acquires coupon information from the content DB 402 (S104). The various information acquired from the content DB 402 is information that is printed on coupon coupons such as introduction information of the area where the vending machine 100 is installed, discount information at neighboring facilities, and the like, and is provided to the user. The acquisition of coupon information may be configured to start processing when a fee for purchasing a product is input from the user, for example.

The controller 401 instructs the printing unit 404 to start outputting the coupon information acquired from the content DB 402 (start printing). Receiving this instruction, the printing unit 404 starts printing coupon information on a predetermined sheet (for example, roll paper) (S105). Thus, based on the instruction from the controller 401, the printing unit 404 outputs what is printed on the paper for each instruction as a coupon. Further, the controller 40 displays a message on the display screen that the coupon is issued to the user via the display unit 403 (S106).
Note that the display of the message may be configured to start processing when a charge for purchasing a product is input from the user, for example. Further, for example, when a charge for purchasing a product is input at the same timing as the start of printing, or when a charge for purchasing a product is input, control can be performed so that the information acquired from the content DB 402 is displayed on a display screen (not shown).

The controller 401 determines whether printing by the printing unit 404 has been completed (S107). When it is determined that the printing has been completed (S107: Yes), the controller 401 discharges the coupon ticket for which the printing has been completed. In this way, a series of processing ends.
For example, when printing is performed on paper such as roll paper, it is also possible to control so that printed portions are sequentially discharged from the discharge port in conjunction with the printing operation.

Thus, in the vending machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the coupon voucher issuing device 41 issues a coupon voucher every time the sales information of the backup counter 30 is updated.
Thereby, attachment of the coupon issuing device 41 when manufacturing the vending machine 100 can be performed more easily. Therefore, the cost required for deployment of the coupon issuing device 41 can be significantly reduced. Further, even when the coupon voucher issuing device 41 is additionally attached to the already installed vending machine, the electrical connection between the vending machine and the coupon voucher issuing device can be easily performed. Therefore, the cost required for deployment of the coupon issuing device 41 can be significantly reduced.

  A touch panel display (not shown) is arranged in front of the vending machine 100, and when the selection unit 1 is pressed to purchase a product, a plurality of contents stored in the content DB 402 are stored. Information for prompting the user to select desired content can be displayed on the display screen of the touch panel display. In this case, the user can select a desired content from the displayed plurality of contents. When a specific content is selected, the coupon issuing device 41 prints the specified content on a sheet, and discharges the printed coupon. Thereby, it becomes possible to issue coupon coupons according to preferences for each user.

  The vending machine 100 can also be configured to have a position information acquisition device for acquiring information about the location where the vending machine is installed. In this case, the position information acquired via the position information acquisition device can be used as reference information when acquiring information from the content DB 402. The position information acquisition apparatus may include, for example, a global positioning system (GPS). In addition, it can also comprise so that the information regarding the location of the vending machine 100 can be arbitrarily set beforehand. As described above, the location information related to the location of the vending machine acquired by the location information acquisition device and the location information related to the location set arbitrarily are used when generating and printing a map image around the vending machine. You can also

  The embodiment described above is for explaining the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Selection part, 11 ... Commodity carry-out part, 20 ... Counter, 30 ... Backup counter, 40 ... I / F (interface), 41 ... Stamp coupon issuing apparatus, 50 ... Main control unit, 100 ... Vending machine, 101 ... Product outlet, 102 Coin slot, 103 ... Bill slot, 104 ... Amount display unit, 106 ... Coin return Numeral 107, bill return port 401, controller 401, content DB (database), 403 display unit, 404 printing unit.

Claims (5)

A vending machine having a coupon issuing device for issuing coupons giving predetermined benefits and various information to a user,
The vending machine includes first recording means for recording at least information representing the number of products sold as sales information;
Second recording means for preliminarily recording the same information as the sales information recorded in the first recording means;
The coupon issuing device
An output means for outputting the coupon ticket;
Control means for instructing the output start of the coupon ticket by the output means,
The control means instructs the output start of the coupon ticket every time the sales information recorded in the second recording means is updated.
vending machine. The second recording means acquires the sales information recorded in the first recording means from the first recording means, and records the acquired sales information.
The vending machine according to claim 1. The output means outputs a coupon printed on a recording medium for each instruction based on an instruction from the control means,
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2. Having a selection means for selecting whether or not the coupon issuance is allowed;
When the issuing is permitted by the selection means, the control means instructs the output means to start outputting the coupon ticket,
The vending machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3. A first recording unit that records at least information representing the number of products sold as sales information; a second recording unit that preliminarily records the same information as the sales information recorded in the first recording unit; A voucher issuing device that issues a voucher that gives a user a predetermined privilege and various information, which is mounted on a vending machine having
The coupon issuing device
An output means for outputting the coupon ticket;
Control means for instructing the output start of the coupon ticket by the output means,
The control means instructs the output start of the coupon ticket every time the sales information recorded in the second recording means is updated.
Coupon voucher issuing device.

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